| ~~~~~~Mommy's Notes~~~~~~ |
| June 2004 |
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| First Prenatal Appointment 06.04.04 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Went to my first appointment in Greenville at the Eastern Carolina University Medical School on 4 June. The appointment took approximately four hours. I saw a regular OB doctor, along with a Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor. (That's the high risk pregnancy specialist.) After some discussion, it was decided that I needed to see a hemotologist and a genetic counselor. (Appointments to follow later this month and next.) I also saw a nutritionalist, (to make sure I am eating correctly), and a social worker, (all high risk pregnancies that come through there require seeing a social worker.). I also had blood work done in preparation for the hemotologist appointment. (SED rate and Factor VIII tests) My hemotologist appointment is scheduled for 21 June 04, at the Leo Jenkins Cancer Center at the ECU School of Medicine. |
| Second Ultrasound 06.01.04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had a slight accident early in the morning on 31 May. I managed to fall down and aggrivate my hip. An hour after I fell, I started having 'gas'; if was coming and going for about 45 seconds every 15 or so minutes. I called the nurse, and she told me that I was having contractions! YIKES! So, they scheduled me an ultrasound for the next morning, just to make sure that everything was okay. At this ultrasound, we were able to see a little more definition to the baby. Our baby has gotten so big in the past few weeks! It's incredible! The baby didn't want to hold still...it was like it was saying 'Don't take my picture!' They got strong heartbeat on the baby; the heart rate being 167bpm. We even got to hear that heartbeat for the first time at this ultrasound. It was truely amazing to see and hear our little baby in there. |
| Hemotology Appointment 06.21.04 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My hemotology appointment was interesting. I found out something rather shocking: I can't stand the sight of blood anymore. I passed out seeing someone get their blood drawn. This was all prior to my getting into a room to see a doctor, so when I got in the room, they were nice enough to come check on me periodically, and the Physican's Assistant was in shortly afterwards to take my intake assessment. I found out that my Factor VIII levels are at a 'normal' level now, which is good. They will be drawing more blood in mid-August to make sure my levels are still good. They are more concerned with my bleeding after the birth, because after I give birth, my levels will fall back into the abnormal range again, causing prolonged bleeding. At the suggestion of the hemotologist, I will be using a medication to maintain my clotting factors, and will probably be taking it for the rest of my life. My next appointment with Hemotology is 18 August. My next prenatal appointment is 29 June, and hopefully, I won't need any blood work at that one! |
| Appointment at Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune 06.28.04 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Had to make an appointment with my PCP today. I've been having a lot of back, hip and shoulder pain lately. After the last incident with the bursitis, I decided to not take the chance of letting it get out of hand, so I called to make an appointment. My PCP told me that because I have gained some weight, (10 pounds so far...supposed to gain another 20!), that the extra weight is stressing my body out, causing the soreness and other pains. As a child, I had scoliosis, and that is complicating things as well. My back is already stressed out, and will continue to be stressed out. I was given a list of exercises to do, and told to swim as often as possible. That will help to strengthen my back muscles for when the baby is really heavy in the front. For the time being, she gave me something to help with pain, and I feel better knowing that my body really isn't falling apart...its just the baby weight! |
| OB Appointment, 13 weeks 2 Days 06.29.04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My appointment went well. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler today, and the baby has a strong heartbeat. (Dr said it was in the 140/bpm range.) My next OB appointment, they are going to do some blood work to check for 'genetic defects'. (My pregnant memory will not allow me to recall exactly what test it is right now.) They told me that the test did tell about defects, but was not a conclusive test. The next appointment for me is going to be with Genetic Counselling. I have an appointment scheduled for 19 July. The appointment has two parts: the doctor assessment, then an ultrasound. We should be able to tell what the baby is by this time. (Providing the baby cooperates!) |